The role of phosphoinositides in cell physiology.

The phosphoinositides are minor phospholipids present in all eukaryotic cells. They are storage forms for messenger molecules that function in the transmission of signals across the cell membrane and evoke responses to extracellular agonists. The phosphoinositides break down to liberate messenger molecules or precursors of messenger molecules. Many different compounds are formed, although the functions of only a few are understood currently.